Building construction



March 26, 1946" v c. B. TROEDSSON 2,397,388

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18,- 1944 Zl "/P 1/11/11,, 20

' 1o \22 INVENTOR.

l3 EARL THUEDJFFN 7 BY- AGENT Patented Mar. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF ca 2,397,338 V I o Carl B. Troedsson, Burbank, Calif., assignor to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank,

Calif.

Claims;

. This invention relates to buildings. and relates more particularly to wood buildings or structures fabricated primarily'or in part of wood.

In constructing the so-called frame houses and buildings it is the general practice to fabricate the frames for the walls and partitions of multiplicites of studs, braces, fire blocks, etc.,and to employ joists in the floors and ceilings. The studs, joists, etc., are individually cut from wood stock of substantial cross sectional dimensions, and thesecutting operations are time consuming and wasteful of material. The studs, joists, braces, etc., are separately nailed in the framework and the constructing of the frame for a simple partition or wall involves many measuring, cutting and nailing operations. When the framework has been erected, both sides of the walls and partition are provided with lath and plaster, siding, plywood, wallboard or other building material to present the surfaces which are to be finally finished as by painting. Such expensive surfaceproviding assemblies or materials are not load assuming, but merely present the surfaces for defining the rooms or. compartment and in the case of exterior walls,'serve to protect the frame against the weather. The fabrication of the erect twosurfaceassemblies for adjacent rooms. The surface presenting elements also constitute load supporting and wrack resisting members so that upright frame elements may be unnecessary such that the various parts may be cut to size at the mill and readily-assembled at the building site, and components such as walls, partitions, ceiling and roof sections, etc., may be prefabri-' cated at the mill and shipped to the building site for embodiment in the building.

'A further object of the invention i to provide a construction of the character referred to that is well adapted for use in vehicles suchas airplanes, trucks, house trailers, ships, etc. The

strong, rigid wrack resistant assembly of the inframe followed by the application of the urface duced to a mere skeleton. This feature provides for great economy in the use of heavy frame members, and materially reduces the measuring, cuttins and assembling operations involved in fabrieating the frame. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the character referred to which avoids the employment of spaced surface-providing members or assemblies as now commonly found in walls and partitions surfaced by lath and plaster, wallboard siding, etc. The surface presenting elements of the invention pr'ovide surfaces on their opposite sides suitable for painting or other finishing to constitute the final surfaces of the structure so that there is no necessity to vention is useful in truck and trailer bodies and may be built to contour for use as bulkheads, etc., in air and sea craft.

Other objects and features of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms of themvention wherein reference will be made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assembly or construction incorporating features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Figure l;

Figure 3 is a reduced fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a building embodyingthe invention:

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a sheet element of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sheet assembly of the invention.

The invention is capable of extensive variation to adapt it for numerous applications. In the drawing I have illustrated typical structures of the invention, it being understood that these are illustrative examples and are not to be considered as limiting either the scope or application of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show the invention embodied infa portion of a structure such as a house, buildassumed that the members I" leir areintgral elements of woodff being understood thatthey may be sectional and may be formed of metal or other material. The lower member ID forms the lower frame'element and may'serve as asill. e member I0 may be suitablysecureddzftfi r, foundation, ora'ither sup m rting means not shown. The'lower membePHFlfi simple elongate part otsubs lustiated, the member ID is rectangular in cross sectiongand *iSi'MTQIlEBd to-have one of its broad -'fa'.es bear on the, support or foundation. 1 The uDperlongitudinal edges of the member I ll may flfleveled, and in practice, the exposed surfaces of the member In maybe contoured as desired and given any selected finish. A longitudinal channel or grooveyl is; provided in the upper surface of the member I0 to'receive the lower edge portions ofthe sheets. I3. In accordance withthe invention, the groove I5'is corrugated or undulated. -.'I'he undulations of the groove l5 are uniform andregularand the groove may extend throughout-the length of the member Ill, The groove l5.--is-; preferably equally spaced between the sides of the member I0 and is of sub stantial depth. I

j The upper member orplate II is an elongate timber arranged'in parallel relation to the sill -member III to occupy the same vertical Plane.

The, member II is supported bythe uprights l2 and the sheets l3, and in the construction illustrated, serves to partially support the roof or ceiling sheets I4. The member II may be of the same cross sectional dimensions as the sill mem-- ber Ill. Its lower comers may be beveled oil and its exposed-surfaces may be suitably finished. The lower side of the member II has a longitudinal groove I 6 to receive the upper edge portions of the sheets I3. The groove I6 is longitudinally waved or 'undulated in the same manner as the groove I5. The upper and lower members In and II are related sothat the undulations of their respective grooves I5 and I6 are in phase or vertical alignment. The roove I6 mayextend throughout the length of the member II. The upper and lower frame members Ill and II may be cut to length from stock previously provided with the grooves I5 and I6. The grooves are easily and inexpensively routed in the stock or members.

Figure 1 illustrates the upper frame member II prepared or milled to effectively receive and support theroof or ceiling "sheets H. The upper surface ll of the member II is waved or corrugated, having'a continuous series of transversely extending'undulations. In the particular construction' illustrated-,the axes of curvature of they corrugations lie in a common horizontarplane. Where the roof vor ceiling is pitched; the axes of curvature of the undulations constituting the al cross sectional dimensions. As 11- Q The uprights. constitute the vertical elemay be cut from the some stock as the members ments of the frame. The uprights I2 are provided at the corners of the assembly and at other to the horizontal frame members I0 and II by nails, screws, bolts, dowels, 'or the like. In the simple construction illustrated, the uprights I2 extend between and are secured to the opposing horizontalsurfaces of the members I0 and II.

The uprights IZare provided with grooves I8 for, receiving the vertical edge portions of the sheets l3. As best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the vertical grooves I8 are provided in opposite sides of the uprights I2 and are offset from the central vertical planes of the uprights. In the assembly shown in Figures 1' and 2, one upright I2 occurs between two adjacent Sheets I3 in' a single wall or panel to form a joining member and incidentally give the assembly additional strength, and a second upright I2 is provided at one edge of the first upright to receive the edge portion of a sheet I3 embodied in a wall or partition which joins the first wall betweenits ends. lt will be observed that the grooves I8 may be straight.

Figure 3 illustrates the manner in which pairs -of abutting connected uprights I2 are provided at the corners of the structure and are provided where a partition P joins or connects with an external wall at apoint between its ends. It will be observed fromFigure 3 that single uprights I2 may be incorporated in a wall or partition of substantial length to givev the partition greater.

\ strength and stability. Furthermore, single uprights I2 as illustrated elsewhere.

precut at the mill and merelyassembled in the structure at the building site. I

The wall and partition sheets I3 are features v of the invention. The sheets I3 are corrugated plywood elements. The plywood employed may be ofany selected or required thickness and may have any desired'number of plies orlamination's. The thickness and strength of the sheets I3 depend upon the nature of the assembly and the lo-' cation of the sheets therein. It'is usually preferred to employ corrugated plywood sheets I3 of sufficient thickness and strength to assume all or a substantial portion of the vertical or compression loads as well as other loads imposed on the structure, thus greatly reducing the number of uprights I! required. In many instances a wall or partition may consist solely of the sheets I3, the

' upper and lower frame members I0 and I I and surface I1 are correspondingly pitched. The un- I dulated surface I1 extends throughout that 'pormediate uprights I2 may be employed as shown in the top portion of Figure 3. The sheets I3 are corrugated vertically, the corrugations being uniform and extending throughout the lengths of the flat and plain. In such cases the members II sheets. The corrugations of the sheets I3 and the undulated .grooves I and I6 are such they mate so that the upper and lower edge portions of the sheets may be fitted in the grooves.

that

Figure 1 shows the edge portions of the sheets I3 engaged in the grooves I5 and I6. The edges,

of the sheets I3 are made to bottom in the grooves and the grooves are of suchwidth that they snugly receive the sheets.

It will be seen that the engagement of the cor- V rugated sheets I3 in the undulated grooves I5 and IB- positively ties the sheets and the members .IIl

and II together to dependably resist both longitudinal and transverse relative movement. If

I desired, nails I9 or the like, may be employed to secure the sheets in the grooves and cement or waterproof glue may-be used to secure and seal the sheets in the grooves. In the case of outside walls .it may be preferred to provide a sealing phenolic resin or the like, to make it waterproof.

Where thermal or'sound insulation is desired, a layer of suitable insulating material may be provided on one or both surfaces of the sheets I3 as seen at 2|. The corrugated sheets I3 are attractive in appearance and are desirable as the final-- surface-presenting members of the structure. However, in some situations it may be necessary to provide flat vertical wall surfaces. This may be effected byapplying fiat plywood, wallboardor the like, to the surface or surfaces of the corrugated sheets I3 as shown at 22 in Figure 5.

material in the grooves I5 and I6 and a suitable cured in the grooves offer a high resistance to deformation in all directions and assure a strong rigid assembly.

It is well known that corrugated sheet metal is employed as a building material. Such corrugated metal is usually merely nailed to the exterior of a frame structure to form a covering or outside wall. The sheet metal is of such thin gauge that it is incapable of assuming any of the loads imposed on the structure. As distinguished from the corrugated sheet metal building mate,

rial, the corrugated plywood of the present invention constitutes an integral part of the frame or structure and assumes a major portion of all stresses and loads. Furthermore, the plywood sheets engaged and'secured in the-grooves I5,

I6 and I8 may form theprimary elements of pre-,

fabricated components such as roofs, walls and partitions. The corrugated plywood I3 is preferably such that both of its surfaces are clear and clean, and suited for final finishing as by painting. This eliminates the necessity for providing lath and plaster, wallboard, siding, etc., to surface the walls and partitions. If preferred, standard lengths of the corrugated sheets may be employed, in which case the vertical edges of adjacent sheets are brought into abutment and are maintained in abutting engagement by reason of the cooperation of the sheets with corrugated glOoves l6 and I6. Suitable sealing material may be used at such joints. The corrugated plywood sheets I3 may be precut to extend the full distance between the spaced uprights l2, in which case the joints are eliminated.

The wall or partition sheets I3 present surfaces at their opposite sides that may constitute the final surfaces of the walls or partitions. Thus as illustrated in Figure 3 the sheets I3 constitute the The flatsheets'22 may be suitably secured to the crests of the corrugations in the sheets.

The roof or ceiling sheets I4 may beapplied directly to the upper frame members II. The sheets l4 are corrugated plywood and may be the same as the sheets I3 described above. 'The corrugationsof the sheets I4 conform to the surfaces I'I of the members to evenly bear thereon, The sheets I4 are preferably of sufficient length to extend between the members II of opposing walls or partitions. Wheretheframe members II extend longitudinally with respect to the corrugations of the sheets I4, the surfaces I"| are longitudinally corrugated to conform to the sheets. As shown in Figurel of the drawin the members II are of suflicient width to receive and support the end portions of sheets I4 which extend across the tops of adjacent rooms or'compartments. Nails 23 or other securing means may be used to attach the sheets [4 to the frame members II. The engagement of the corrugated sheets I4 with the corrugated surfaces II assures correct alignment of the sheets and provides good tight joints. Where the sheets I4 constitute the roof of the structure, they are preferably treated to be weather resistant and the jointsbetween their abutting edges are suitably sealed.

It is believed that it will be readily apparent how the elements of the construction may be readily assembled. As above described, the construction lends-itself to prefabricated units and to the employment of precut elements-The structure is such that it may be quickly assembled by unskilled labor. The precorrugated plywoodsheets engaged in the grooves of the frame members provide for an extremely strong rigid assembly.

Following the assembly of the various components,

the structure is immediately ready for final finishing or painting.

It is contemplated that the corrugated plywood employed in the structure of the invention may be walls and partitions, there being no necessity for I external siding,-shingles, stucco, brick, or the like, and no need for interior plaster, wallboard, etc.

In the case of outside walls and roofs, it is pretreated to be fire resistant, weather resistant, ver; min and fungi. repellent, water repellent, etc., depending upon the particular application or embodiment of the invention. While it is intended that the corrugated sheets are to be primarily of wood, it is apparent that they may be impregnated with other materials such as phenolic resin, chemicals, etc., and may include one or more laminations of plastic material or the like. Accordingly, where the term plywood is employed in the specification and claims, it is to be construed as including such treated and composite laminated sheets. Furthermore, where the term building construction is employed it is to be interpreted as including vehicle structures and assemblies, as well as structures and assemblies of other characters.

I Having described only typical forms of the invention I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any yariations or modifications that may apdulations thereof and having its vertical edge portions engaged in the grooves of said generally vertical members,

2. In a construction of the character described, a pair of vertically spaced generally horizontal structural frame members having opposing preformed undulated longitudinal grooves, spaced engaged in said undulated grooves so that the j corrugations mate with the undulations thereof and to have their vertical edge portions engaged said grooves so that the corrugations mate with generally vertical frame members extending between the generally horizontal members and hav--, ing vertical grooves in their opposite sides, and substantially vertical corrugated load carrying plywood sheets having their vertical edge portions receivedin said vertical grooves, the corrugations of the sheets extending vertically and the upper and lower edge portions of the sheets being inserted into said undulated grooves with their corrugations conforming to the undulations of the grooves, the upper and lower edges of the sheets bottoming in said undulated grooves so that the sheets may assume compression loads imposed on the structure. I

3 In a building construction, spaced upper and lower generally horizontal frame members, the opposing surfaces of the members having undulated longitudinal grooves, vertical frame members extending between the horizontal members and each having a vertical groove in its opposite sides, vertical plywood sheets corrugated vertically and arranged between the horizontal memthe undulationsthereof, the upper surface of the upper member being undulated, and a corrugated plywood ceiling sheet resting on said upper surface with its corrugations conforming thereto.

5. In a building construction, two joined angularly related frames each including spaced upper and lower horizontal frame members, the opposing faces of the members having undulated longitudinal grooves, and vertical frame members extending between thev horizontal members and each having a vertical groove in its opposite sides, a vertical corner member extending between the horizontal members of the frames at the point where the angularly related frames join, said corner member having vertical grooves and vertical plywood sheets corrugated vertically and arranged between the horizontal members of said frames to have their upper and lower edge portions engaged in said undulated grooves so that the corrugations mate with the undulations thereof and to have their vertical edge portions en aged in the grooves of said' vertical frame members, the sheets in the frames adjacent the point of joinder thereof each having a vertical edge portion engaged in a vertical groove of said corner hers to have their upper and lower edge portions member.

CARL B. TROEDSSON. 

